DETROIT — The Detroit Lions are keeping their special teams core intact, officially re-signing kicker Jake Bates to a one-year contract Wednesday. Bates, who led the NFL in extra points made and attempted for two consecutive seasons, signed his exclusive-rights free agent tender to remain in the Motor City through the 2026 campaign.
While the team hasn’t broadcast the exact salary, the one-year deal is reportedly worth $1.075 million. The move secures a kicking room that has become a rare island of stability for a franchise currently overhauling its offensive staff and roster. Bates originally landed in Detroit in 2024 following a historic run with the Michigan Panthers in the UFL, and he hasn’t looked back since.
The Meat of the Story: Power vs. Consistency
Bates enters 2026 as one of the most productive young kickers in league history. He is one of only four players to ever rack up at least 135 points in each of his first two NFL seasons. His leg strength isn’t the question—he famously holds a 64-yard UFL record—but the Lions want to see him recapture his rookie-year magic from long distance.
The numbers tell a story of two different seasons. In 2024, Bates was a revelation, hitting 89.7 percent of his field goals. However, that number dipped to 79.4 percent in 2025. The culprit was the deep ball. Bates went just 4-of-9 on attempts beyond 50 yards last year, a stark contrast to his rookie campaign. Despite the accuracy dip from distance, his reliability on extra points remained elite, connecting on 54-of-56 tries to help the Lions maintain a top-five scoring offense.
“Jake has a rare leg. You don’t just find that kind of power on the street. We know the 50-plus numbers weren’t where he wanted them last year, but the kid is a worker. He’s won games for us, and he’s our guy.”
— Dave Fipp, Lions Special Teams Coordinator
What’s Next for the Lions Unit
By re-signing Bates, Detroit ensures their “specialist trio” remains unchanged. Bates joins veteran punter Jack Fox and long snapper Hogan Hatten, both of whom are also under contract for 2026. This stability is vital as the team transitions to new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and moves into a post-David Montgomery era with Jahmyr Gibbs taking the lead role.
The 2026 season will be a “prove-it” year for Bates. While he is an exclusive-rights free agent now, a bounce-back in his field goal percentage could set him up for a massive multi-year extension in 2027. For now, the Lions have a cheap, high-upside weapon who has already proven he can handle the pressure of Ford Field.
